Janius bent forward over the table, supporting his head with his hand and elbow. They were back to where they started. "What other approaches are there?" He hissed. "We are her inferiors, being family doesn't seem enough anymore."

Though clearly just as disappointed, Fendros spoke his thoughts out loud in case it helped come up with ideas. "We cannot take that book away by force. She keeps it close, even in her sleep. She even threatened us, just then, if we try to bother her about it again." He looked up at a corner of the room and took a frustrated breath. "We cannot exactly find an antidote for the gas. That has been pursued for the past several years."

"I have seen this pattern with other addicts," Janius said, cupping a claw-fingered hand in the air. "The more the retreats into that book, the more she pushes us away. The more we express concern about the book, the more she will retreat to it. We have to make her realise what she is doing so she can come out of it herself." He faced the others with wide eyes. "That is the only chance we have without destroying the book!"

"I could-" Sabine caught her breath and looked down. Her stoic look was beginning to show cracks. "She still loves us, yes? She still cares? I think I have an idea. I do not want to do it, and you will not like it, but it might work." Sabine hesitated just in case anyone else had ideas of their own. There was a hint of desperation behind the reluctance in her speech.